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Annelies M. Gentile, MA, PCC

Since last we connected, I've lovingly coached executives and leaders from corporate to non-profits to entrepreneurs, and professionals facing change. I've also officiated a wedding, attended three funerals, planned one, sang in public, presented and posted a video on resilience in the presence of coronavirus, ignited a series of Imaginarium workshops on creativity, was filmed by NCSU and City of Raleigh for my Art Walk tours, improv danced on stage, started salsa lessons, started a "hugs and quiches" crusade for those who need a kind reminder that they are not alone, nurtured my mom through another semester of community college, planned an inter-generational story telling event with my family, paddle boarded with my sweetness every month through our mild NC winter, planted seed ideas for designing an app, an e-learning course and a retreat series on re-wiring and re-firing shifting perspective on re"tire"ment. "Cause who wants to re-tire all over again?! Phew! Life is change. How is CHANGE showing up for you? I want to know! Email or call me. Let me know what's changing in your world.

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SPRING : A Time to Explore Creativity

Each season I provide inspiring nuggets of wisdom through my newsletter which includes invitations to upcoming events. Each newsletter aims to help you create a mindful mindset and provide resources to build resiliency in the face of personal, professional and cultural change. Seasonal teachings come through both my personal and professional experiences and the Chinese Five Elements philosophy of Wu Xing (wŭ ching) and Tao, among other philosophies and sciences which highlight and explore unique nature-based ways to understand the processes of change. Find this newsletter useful? Be the gift that keeps giving, share it with a friend!

Want to learn more? Invite me to speak at your next conference, place of business, networking or civic group. From boardrooms to classrooms to living rooms you'll find presentations with me to be immersive treasured experiences!

Spring is nearly here! I do hope wherever you are you're able to enjoy it. Where I live, in Raleigh NC-- animated by bursts of color and small movements in nature let me know spring is emerging a little more each day. Daffodils poked through cool ground starting back in January. It was a very mild winter. Birds are abundant now in our yard, while sweet scents of tulip poplars carry through the air. What do you notice about spring's emergence this year?

Besides sights, sounds and smells, a unique way to experience the season of spring is to explore it via metaphor. According to Eastern traditions there are 5 seasons each represented by an element, a color and a series of emotional characteristics. Here's a simplified explanation.

Winter : Water : Blue : Stillness : Fear
Spring : Wood : Green : Creativity : Anger
Summer : Fire : Red : Connectivity : Joy
Late Summer : Earth : Yellow : Integrity : Sympathy
Autumn : Metal : White : Acknowledgement : Grief

Spring is related to the WOOD element which represents the emotion of anger and informs a sense of renewal, forgiveness, vision, organizing, hope and most importantly-- creativity. Through the season of spring, we are invited to think and act in an upward and outward movement. When we embrace movement, we are freed from resistance and unnecessary struggle. It may come as a surprise to note that sometimes we need an emotional force, like anger or loss to fuel growth, momentum, innovation and creativity. Change of all sorts can do this for us, if we're paying attention.

Feeling stuck or at odds? Listen to anger as a guide to point you towards creativity. I say, anger is mis-allocated creativity. And a little secret... Behind the scenes, anger and anxiety are bedfellows. Consider a creative diversion to give emotions a voice and a place to be expressed. Creativity is energy. Emotions are energy. Problems are energy. Solutions are energy. Facilitate an experience for energy to be expressed-- for energy to be focused. Need a visual? Here's a brief TED talk to immerse yourself in on creativity.

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REFLECT ON YOUR LIFE

With spring comes new life. Tiny new buds and green shoots begin to emerge and seem to announce, "I'm ready to grow". Humans are no different. Even under adverse situations, we naturally aim ourselves towards improvement, progress and towards gaining the most success we possibly can. Striving to thrive is fundamental to our human evolutionary success, (even when it may look like self-sabotage or feel like we're going backwards). Take time to examine your own contribution.

In the spirit of spring, ask yourself…

What’s new in your life?
What needs organizing?
Where have you lost your firm grip on ground?
What or who needs forgiveness at this time?
What are you giving birth to, literally, metaphorically, symbolically?
What are you most angry at? And what might you do to creatively transform this energy into an action that produces feel-good results for you and others around you?

Learn more about the creative process from my previous post "Birth of an Idea" or get it straight from my book pages 263-300. It's on Kindle and audiobook is on the way! From Chaos to Calm :: Leading Change From the Inside Out

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Get Inspired with Annelies

Sometimes things need to fall apart to land together. No matter what transition you’re facing, you are in the right place. I invite you to work one-on-one with me to address priority issues, stress, overwhelm and grief associated with change. Focus and find peace. Sessions are custom designed to suite your needs, time and budget. Coaching packages start at $255 or jump right in for an immersion session and coach with me at the beach.

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Imaginarium :: Teeny Tiny Creativity Retreat

You pause for yoga, you pause for social, you pause for... wait. Do you pause? While vacations are awesome, sometimes... you just need a mid-day retreat! You're invited to pause in the middle of the day for creative reflection and new perspective. Imaginariums are one-of-a-kind thoughtful sensory experiences designed to tease, tempt and enroll your inner genius to step up and unwind. JOIN US for the next Imaginarium in April!

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FIRST FRIDAYS ART WALK TOUR

JoinAnneliesona FirstFridayArtWalkTour of the Warehouse Arts District of Downtown Raleigh! Annelies' tour style is similar to a walking TEDtalk as she'll cover a wide variety of interesting topics. Reflect on how and why creativity leads to a rich and meaningful life, converse with new people and take in local culture. Her established spot in the local art scene makes it feel like dropping in on old friends when the group moves goes from gallery to gallery and hear from the artists and curators behind the work. This event is in partnership with People First Tourism. REGISTER HERE

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HEADS UP! 2 ART IN THE GARDENS!!

ART IN THE GARDEN at Well Fed Community Garden

Last SATURDAY of every month Apr-Oct 10AM-1PM
$48 includes Workshop, Supplies & Lunch
Come explore an art-FULL experience at one of Raleigh's best kept secrets, the Well Fed Community Garden owned by Irregardless Cafe. Join us for Art in the Garden at WELLFED and enjoy the simplicities of life; creativity, community and cuisine. Experience the good life through an outdoor (plein-air) guided watercolor class with Annelies followed by a vegetarian farm-to-table picnic lunch from Irregardless Cafe. REGISTRATION COMING SOON

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ART IN THE GARDEN at Joslin Gardens

Last Sunday of each month April-Oct 1PM-3PM
$38 includes art supplies, light refreshments & workshop
Come explore an art-FULL experience at Joslin Garden, a special Raleigh neighborhood treasure maintained by Oak City Foundation. Join us for Art in the Garden at Joslin Garden and enjoy the simplicities of life; creativity, nature and community. Experience the good life through an outdoor (plein-air) guided watercolor class with Annelies along with light refreshments. REGISTRATION COMING SOON